Blood Flow Changes in the Trapezius Muscle and Overlying Skin Following Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation

Background and Purpose: Various researchers have studied the effects of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) on hemodynamics. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of TENS on local blood flow in the trapezius muscle and overlying skin. Subjects: Thirty-three women who were healthy, aged 25 to 55 years, were randomly assigned to receive 1 of 3 different modes of TENS. Methods: Skin and muscle blood flow were monitored noninvasively using a new application of photoplethysmography for 15 minutes of TENS applied at high frequency (80 Hz) and sensory-level intensity and at low frequency (2 Hz) and motor-level intensity and for 15 minutes after stimulation. Subliminal 80-Hz TENS was used as a control. Blood flow was monitored simultaneously on stimulated and nonstimulated shoulders. Results: Blood flow in the trapezius muscle, but not skin blood flow, increased significantly with motor-level 2-Hz TENS, whereas no increase occurred with sensory-level 80-Hz TENS or subliminal 80-Hz TENS. Discussion and Conclusion: Muscle contractions induced by motor-level 2-Hz TENS appear to be a prerequisite for increasing blood flow in the trapezius muscle. However, high stimulation intensity may prevent increased blood flow in the overlying skin.

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842 EFFECTS OF TRANSCUTANEOUS ELECTRICAL NERVE STIMULATION (TENS) ON MUSCLE BLOOD FLOW IN THE TRAPEZIUS MUSCLE AND OVERLYING SKIN

European Journal of Pain ◽

10.1016/s1090-3801(06)60845-8 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 10 (S1) ◽

pp. S219-S219

Author(s):

M.L. Sandberg ◽

M.K. Sandberg ◽

J. Dahl

Keyword(s):

Blood Flow ◽

Nerve Stimulation ◽

Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation ◽

Muscle Blood Flow ◽

Trapezius Muscle ◽

Electrical Nerve Stimulation

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The effect of high- and low-frequency transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation upon cutaneous blood flow and skin temperature in healthy subjects

Clinical Physiology ◽

10.1046/j.1365-2281.2000.00240.x ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 20 (2) ◽

pp. 150-157 ◽

Cited By ~ 63

Author(s):

Cramp ◽

Gilsenan ◽

Lowe ◽

Walsh

Keyword(s):

Blood Flow ◽

Skin Temperature ◽

Nerve Stimulation ◽

Healthy Subjects ◽

Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation ◽

Low Frequency ◽

Cutaneous Blood Flow ◽

Electrical Nerve Stimulation ◽

Cutaneous Blood

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Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Effects of Low-frequency Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation on Central Pain Modulation

Clinical Journal of Pain ◽

10.1097/ajp.0b013e31823c2bd7 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 28 (7) ◽

pp. 581-588 ◽

Cited By ~ 22

Author(s):

Figen Kocyigit ◽

Elif Akalin ◽

Naciye Sinem Gezer ◽

Ozge Orbay ◽

Ali Kocyigit ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Magnetic Resonance Imaging ◽

Magnetic Resonance ◽

Nerve Stimulation ◽

Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation ◽

Low Frequency ◽

Pain Modulation ◽

Central Pain ◽

Functional Magnetic Resonance ◽

Resonance Imaging ◽

Electrical Nerve Stimulation

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Frostbite

PEDIATRICS ◽

10.1542/peds.73.4.571 ◽

1984 ◽

Vol 73 (4) ◽

pp. 571-571

Author(s):

FORST E. BROWN

Keyword(s):

Blood Flow ◽

Nerve Stimulation ◽

Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation ◽

Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy ◽

Electrical Nerve Stimulation ◽

Blood Flow Increase ◽

Sympathetic Blocks

In Reply.— Rowlingson and Carron suggest consideration of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) in the management of frostbite. As they mentioned, sympathetic blocks have been effective in the management of early frostbite; blood flow increase has resulted in the salvage of damaged digits. Interarterial reserpine and prostacycline also have been shown to overcome digital vasoconstriction. In the two patients we described, persistent vasoconstriction as seen in reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD) was not the problem. Moreover, the changes seen in the radiographs were not comparable to those seen in RSD.

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Low Level Continuous Heat Wraps can Increase the Efficiency of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation for Pain Management

Physikalische Medizin Rehabilitationsmedizin Kurortmedizin ◽

10.1055/a-1126-4436 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 30 (05) ◽

pp. 290-298

Author(s):

Jerrold Petrofsky ◽

Michael Laymon ◽

Haneul Lee

Keyword(s):

Blood Flow ◽

Pain Management ◽

Range Of Motion ◽

Skin Blood Flow ◽

Nerve Stimulation ◽

Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation ◽

Electrical Nerve Stimulation ◽

Low Level ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Continuous Heat

AbstractBoth transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation and superficial heat have been used for pain management. While heat has been shown to have a beneficial effect on pain, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation remains controversial. The purpose of the present study was to see if heat, when added to transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, would provide more consistent relief. A total of 180 subjects participated in this study and were randomly divided into 12 groups. Low level continuous heat was applied while electrical stimulation was applied at 2 intensities, 2 frequencies and with 2 waveforms for 4 h. Outcome measures were subjective pain scale, range of motion of the back and skin blood flow of the back. The control groups had no significant difference in pain, range of motion or skin blood flow comparing the data at the beginning and 4 h after (p> 0.05). There was a small reduction in pain with transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation alone while all other groups had a significant improvement in range of motion free of pain, reduction in pain, and increase in skin blood flow from the beginning to the end of the 4-hour period. Since transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation with low level continuous heat showed better outcomes then transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation alone or low level continuous heat alone, combining the 2 interventions seems to offer better outcomes for pain management for health care professionals.

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